Diving board



May 11 1954 N. BUC lK DIVING BOARD 3 Sheets-Sheet 1- Filed March 13 1951 K 2 E E IA M m N A TTOE/VEY a D m UB m I W D 4 5 9 1 1 l w M Filed March 13, 1951 IN VEN TOR. NORMA/V 300% A TTOENEVS N. BUCK DIVING BOARD May 11, 1954 3 Sheets-Sheet 3- Filed March 13 1951 Patented May 11, 1954 UNITED STATES FATE-NT OFFICE DIVING BOARD :Norman Buck, Seattle, Wash.

Application March 13, 1951, Serial No. 215,238

13 Claims. 1

My invention relates to the art of diving boards used in various athletic endeavors and more particularly in connection with aquatic diving programs.

The present inventions are in the nature of improvements over my co-pending application Serial No. 36,099, filed June 30, 1948, now Patent No. 2,546,151.

Prior to the invention embodied in my said Letters Patent, divingboards were generally made of wood.

In my said Letters Patent I employed a plurality of longitudinally extending aluminum tubes and fabricated the board in the manner set forth therein. In a general way, I have found that I can use I beams in combination with rectangular tubes and obtain many advantages. The present invention thus primarily relates to the employment of I beams in a diving board together with parts I have described herein and which are associated with the said I beams so the same may be utilized. All of the advantages of my previous invention obtain with my present invention and there are additional advantages in my present invention over my previous invention.

Some of the primary objects of my invention are to produce a durable and economical metallic diving board which maybe readily fabricated'and broken parts repaired.

Also, it is an object of my invention to produce a structure wherein desired performance obtains with extremely long life.

It is a further object of my "invention to provide a. construction wherein deck members in the nature of separate sheet coverings may be eliminated.

It is a further object of my invention to provide a diving board providing a plurality 'of longitudinal slots which will permit a diver to have vision therethrough and to see objects on the other side of the, diving board, such as another swimmer underneath the diving board.

It is a further object of my invention to provide a diving board having such whip as will permit a diver to reach maximum heights the air "after leaving the board.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the description of the same proceeds and the invention will be best understood from a consideration of the ollowing detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming a part of the specification, withthe understanding, however, that the invention is not to be limited to the exact details of construction shown and described 2 since obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art.

Figure l is a perspective view, with parts broken away, of a preferred form of my invention;

Fi 2 is a fragmentary elevational view "taken substantially in the direction of broken line 22 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken substantially on broken line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken substantially on broken line 4--4 of Fig. 1

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken substantially on broken line 55 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view with parts shown in elevation, on a larger scale and taken substantially on broken line 6-'B of Fig. 1;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view with parts broken away showing the outer or free end portion of the device illustrated in Fig. 1;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary perspective view on still a larger scale illustrating a lubricating device employed in connection with my invention;

Fig. 9 is a perspective view with parts broken away of a modified form of my invention;

Fig. 10 is a sectional view taken substantially on broken line Iii-l ll of Fig 9;

Fig. 11 is an exploded fragmentary perspective view showing the outer or free end portion of the device illustrated in Fig. 9, on a larger scale than Fig. 9, and with parts broken away; and

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially on broken line IZI2 of Fig. 11.

Referring now to Fig. 1 of the drawings, the springboard of my invention is attached to any usual supporting means, such as a cross "tube means 15, which functions as the anchor at the fixed end of the springboard. The fulcrum means l6 may also be of conventional design and the fulcrum means it has a fulcrum portion II. The fulcrum portion I1 is preferably adjustable longitudinally of the springboard by conventional means (only partially illustrated) The approach or fixed end of my diving "board comprises a plurality of longitudinally extending parallel I beams l8 which are spaced from each other by spacer members I 9 and 20 (see also Fig. 2). Spacer members i9 and 20 are U-shape in section, and of a relatively short length, such as six inches. On the other hand, the longitudinally extending I beams [8 run the entire length of the springboard and may be of conventional length, such as fourteen and sixteen feet.

Longitudinally extending tubular members "21 are disposed on each edge portion of the fixed 7 3 or approach end section of the springboard which is generally numbered 22.

Commencing at one edge portion of the approach end section 22 (see particularly Fig. 2) there is first a longitudinally extending tubular member 2|. Next, the spacer member 23 is provided which may be tubular in section and extend crosswise of the section 22 rather than lengthwise thereof. Within the spacer member 23 there is preferably provided a wood filler member 2 3. The tubular member 2| is provided with an opening through which may extend a cross bracing rod 25. Also, the wood filler member 24 is provided with an opening which may be alined with the said opening in the tubular member El and through which opening the cross rod 25 is disposed. Next, the spacer member 23 containing therein the wood filler 24 is disposed in one of the channels of an I beam it. In the opposite channel in the said I beam i3 is disposed a spacer member 26. Spacer members is and 20 are U-shape in section and-one thereof is provided with a valley 26 which matches with a flange 27. The longitudinal valley of the spacer member l8 and the longitudinal flange oi the spacer member 28 prevent vertical displace ment between the spacer members when one is disposd in one of the channels of an I beam iii and the other thereof is disposed in the longitudinal channel of the adjacent I beam. Obviously, if desired, a tubular member may be used in place of the two spacer members |9F1Zii. The spacer members l9 and 28 function to space the flanges or parallel horizontal surfaces of the I beam so that the said surfaces of the I beams will be disposed in two spaced parallel planes. Also, the spacer members It and 2% are provided with suitable openings through which is threaded the cross rod 25. The parts continue across the board where there are a suitable number of I beams spaced by spacer members until we get to the opposite side of the board, and then another spacer member 23 and wood filler 241 are encountered, and on the outside of these is encountered another tubular member 2|. All of the various members are held in suitable position by the cross rod 25.

In order to secure the approach end section 22 to the cross tube means I5, I may employ a crosswise extending plate 28. The plate 28 is suitably drilled so that bolt and nut means 29 may extend through the plate 28. For each bolt and nut means 29 I drill through the plate 23, through an I beam 3, through a spacer member id or 2B, and through the cross tube means it. The various openings are alined and the bolt and nut means 29 are tightened.

The approach end section 22 carries an outboard or free end section which is generally designated by 38 (Fig. 1). This outboard section 36) is the section from which the diver makes his dive and is preferably of a more flexible nature than the approach end section 22.

The longitudinally extending I beams, which extend the length of the board, are preferably reinforced at a location about one-third their length, as at section line 33 of Fig. 1 or as shown in Fig. 3. The means to secure the I beams together comprise short tubular members 3| (see Figs. 3 and 8). On each of the respective side surfaces of the tubular members 3| is glued a piece of hardboard, such as Masonite 32. The other surfaces of the pieces of Masonite are glued respectively to the web or vertical portion of the I beams l8.

Between each outer tubular member 2| and the adjacent I beam I8 I provide a grease retainer comprising a short tubular member 33 (extending crosswise rather than longitudinally of the diving board) in which there is inserted a wooden member 34. I provide a plurality of openings 35 in the wooden member 34 and these are filled with suitable waterproof grease, e. g., the type of grease commonly employed in greasing automobile water pumps. Any movement between an outer tubular member 2| and its adjacent I beam l8 thus occurs at the location of Fig. 3 and there will be grease to lubricate the parts as they move relative to each other.

At a desired distance from the cross tube means l5, such as nine feet in a fourteen foot board, or eleven feet in a sixteen foot board,'I desire to reduce the tubular members 25 and to provide for bracing to prevent the I beams from moving individually. This may be accomplished by providing at the location of Fig. 4 smaller tubes 36 which telescope into tubular members 2|. Preferably the tubes 38 are sufiiciently smaller than the tubular members 2| so that spacer members 3'! (relatively short members which are right angular in section) are employed so that the outside dimension of tubular member 36 plus the cross sectional size of the spacer members 31 is sufiicient to substantially equal the inside dimension of a tubular member 2|. In view of the fact that the tubular members 36 are of a smaller size, cross sectionally considered, than tubular members 2|, a space obtains between a tubular member 36 and its adjacent I beam 58. Thus I provide longitudinally extending filler members 38 whichare U-shape in section and each fits over the edge portion of the top horizontal plate of one of the I beams. Opposite sides of the board are matched. A member 38 may be slid in place along the said surface portion of an I beam 18. Then a portion of the tubular member 2| or a portion of the filler member 38 is reduced so that the filler member 38 may extend substantially from the location of Fig. 4 outboard to the free end of the board. Filler members 61 and 88 may be of the same construction as filler members 19 and 21B and two thereof will fill the space formed between adjacent I beams. The filler members El and 68 are identical in construction with the filler members l9 and 20 described in connection with Fig. 2. A transverse rod 59,. which may be identical with rod 25 of Fig. 2, is employed. The tubular member 2|, tubular member 35, and the webs of I beams l8 are preferably provided at the location of Fig. 4 with alined openings through which is disposed the cross rod 69. The filler mem bers 67 and 63, as well as the filler members is and 20, preferably snugly fit into the openings between two adjacent I beams to resist relative individual movement between such I beams. Also I employ tubular members 18 which correspond to tubular members 23 of Fig. 2 and wood filler member H which corresponds to wood filler member 24 of Fig. 2.

Referring now to Fig. 5, I have again reduced the size of the longitudinally extending tubular members which are on opposite sides of the board. This is accomplished similarly to the manner in which the members were reduced at the location of Fig. 4. Thus in Fig. l I provide a tubular member 39 which has an outside dimension which snugly telescopically interfits with the inside of a tubular member 36. If further reduction is de ired at this location to increase accepts the .sprlingi-n'ess ofthe tip or outboard end of the board, filler members may be employed as were employed .in connection with the board at the location of Fig. 4. Also, at this location of the board, I desire to start reducing the stiiiness oi the board caused by the web or vertical section of the 'I beams l8.

Referring also to Fig. 6 of the drawings, it will be noted that I provide an inclined longitudinally extending kerf or cut in the webs or vertical portions of the I beams, and thus provide portions 40 and 41. Then the portions 45 and GI are moved relatively laterally so they will pass each other and thereafter they are moved relatively vertically to reduce the thickness of the board at the outboard tip area which tends to increase the resiliency of the board at such area or location. Thus from a given location or distance from the tip of the board the vertical dimension of the web or the I beams is reduced, as is illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6. This may be a distance commencing approximately thirty inches .from the tip end of a fourteen foot or a sixteen foot springboard.

Referring now to Fig. 7 of the drawings, the tip or outboard end portion is shown in perspective. The open end portion of each tubular member 39 is preferably capped, as by a U shaped bracket 42. As indicated in Fig. '7, preferably each U-shaped member 42 is vertically disposed. This bracket 42 may be held in place by bolt means 43 extending crosswise of the tubular member 39.. Each of the tubular members 39, which lie on the respective sides of the board are preferably capped and one thereof is illustrated as being capped in Fig. "7 of the drawings.

' A U-shapedbracket 44 extends the complete distance crosswise oi the board and is provided with a plurality of countersunk openings through which extend bolt and nut means is. Preferably there are two bolt and nut means 45, the bolt portions of which pass through the horizontal surface portions of the center I beam !8 on respective sides of the web or vertical portion of said I beam. Next, each of the remaining I beams is pierced by a bolt of bolt .and nut means 35 but only toward the outboard loroutside of the web. Also, the bolts of bolt and nut means 45 extend through the bracket 44 and through the tubular members 39. Also, preferably filler members which may be in the nature of "wooden blocks 46 are disposed between the webs of adiacent I beams IS. The U-shaped bracket 44 butts against the outer end of the filler member 33 and thus limits longitudinal movement of said filler member, 38. crosswise movement of the filler member 33 is prevented by its U-shape and its position relative to the I beams l8 and the tubular members 39 as well as the U-shaped bracket 4 Preferably each filler member 38 is rigid relative to the upper horizontal portion of an I beam !8 with which it is associated, as by a rivet 62. The tubular members on each side of the springboard comprisin tubular members 2!, 36, and 39 are very rigidly secured together through the U-bracket 44. These marginal portions of the springboard prevent twisting of the springboard and if the I beams is were used alone we would have a less satisfactory diving board. However, the I beams have exceptional desirable qualities when they are used in combination with the rectangular tubular members on the side marginal portions and the U-shaped bracket 44 at the tip portion or free end of the diving board.

The deck of the diving board of Figs. 1 to 8 inclusive formed by the upper horizontal flanges of I beams i8 is preferably provided with a nonslrid surface, as conventional anti-skid paint. Such type of anti-skid paint may be that commonly employed on the metal decks of vessels. Also, preferably such painting is employed in connection with the modified form of my invention illustrated in Figs. 9 to 12 inclusive.

Referring now to the mcdiiication of my invention shown in Figs. 9 to 12 of the drawings, I employ I beams 4'! which do not extend the full length of the board. The manner of securing these I beams together at the fixed end portion of theboard as Well as to cross tube means l5 may be identical to that described in connection with the previous form of my invention, and hence the same is not illustrated in detail nor further described here to prevent repetition. These I beams 4'! are secured together. The I beams l! extend to a desirable distance from the cross tube means 1 5 and beyond the fulcrum portion ll, such as nine and eleven feet respectively for boards of fourteen and sixteen feet in length. This location is indicated by the sec tional view, Fig. 10. 'At this location tubular members 3%, which are similar to tubular members 2i of the previous figures, telescopically interiit with smaller tubular members 49 which are like tubular members 38 of the previous figures. Again, in the interest of obtaining a substantial reduction at this location, I provide spacer members 53 which function similar to spacer members 31. Next a tubular spacer member 55 extending with its opening crosswise of the board is employed and is similar in function to the spacer member 23 of the previous figures (see Fig. 2). In the present form of my invention I extend tubular members 52 which extend lengthwise of the board into the openings formed by two adjacent I beams 47. In view of the fact that I desire to obtain substantial reduction in the longitudinally extending members at this location, preferably tubular members 49 are of a size smaller than the tubular members 48 and thus I preferably employ relatively short right angular in section spacer members so. Also, if square tubular members 52 are employed, I employ spacer plates 53 on ad- J'acent sides of the tubular members 52 so as to completely fill the openings provided by two adjacent I beams 41. Generally about six inches of extension of the tubes 52 into the spaces between I beams ll is suiiicient and hence the plates 53 will be of such length as will be the spacer members 50. Also, preferably I do not insert tubes in all of longitudinal spaces provided by the I beams 51. Thus, I have shown in Fig. 10 of the drawings a tubular member 52 occupying an opening between two adjacent I beams ll; then a space without a tubular member therein; then two tubular members in adjacent spaces at the center portion of the board; then a space without a tubular member therein; and then a tubular member '52 in a space between adjacent I beams 47. As the I beams 41 end shortly after the location indicated by Fig. 10 of the drawings,

I must provide a continuous deck member 54 over the board out to the tip end portion of the diving board. Also, to provide for uniformity and rigidity, spacer members 55 and 56 conjointly form a tubular member of approximately six inches long and fill the spaces between I beams which are not occupied by tubular members 52. Then a cross rod 57 extends transversely or crosswise of the board and passes through alined openings in the various members shown at the location of Fig. 10 of the drawings. Preferably there are two reductions in the thickness of the board and thus I have shown tubes 58 which telescopically interfit with tubular members, 52. Also, I have shown tubular members 59 which telescopically interfit with tubular members 49. At the outboard end portion the tubes 59 are each first capped, similar to the capping of tubes 35, by U-shaped brackets 60 each of which is held in place by a bolt extending crosswise of a tube 59. The U brackets 60 will correspond to the U-shape brackets 42 shown in Fig. 7 of the drawings. Thereafter, a U-shaped bracket 6i extending completely crosswise of the board is employed and this bracket 6| is secured to the tubular members 58 and 58 by nut and bolt means 53 which correspond to the nut and bolt means 45 of the previous figures.

Preferably between the deck 54 and the tubes 49, 59, 52, and B, are disposed longitudinally extending resilient strips 64 which may be formed of suitable material, such as rubber. Relatively short spacer members 65 are employed and which cooperate as means to hold the deck 5a in place. A bolt 56 is secured to the deck and is connected with said spacer members. One of the said spacer members is shown in detail in Fig. 12 of the drawings and there will be one of such spacer members for each of the bolt means, the head portions of which are shown in Fig. 9 of the drawings. In Fig. 9 of the drawings there are ten such bolts 65.

The modified form of my invention provides for extreme resistance against twisting at the outer tip portion of the board in view of the longitudinally extending rectangular tubular members 58, 59, 52 and 49. However, such members must be covered by a deck member due to the various spaces, and certain difiiculties obtain and if the plate or deck 54 becomes loose the board becomes noisy in use. Also, deck members are undesirable as they interfere with the vision of a diver in seeing the water or parties just below the diving board. Obviously, the preferred form of my invention illustrated in Figs. 1 to 8 inclusive permits better vision, does not require an additional deck, and lends itself to more rapid manufacture.

All of the various parts of my invention, except the members distinctly pointed out as beingmade of wood or the like, are preferably made of heat treated aluminum alloys having relatively high tensile strength. There are various heat treated aluminum alloys on the market which can be obtained which will provide for the proper elasticity and at the same time the proper tensile strength.

All of the various I beams, as It and ii, are manufactured by an extrusion process. The various tubular members, such as tubular members El, 36, 39, 49, 52, 59 and 58 are first extruded and then drawn. All of such practices are common with modern day manufacturers of aluminum.

From the foregoing description it is obvious that I have provided a diving board which is 41. These I beams are disposed alongside each other and in, relatively close proximity. They normally lie in a common plane. Also, alongside and on the opposite edges are positioned tubular members 2| or tubular members 48 which tubular members are also connected with the cross tube means l5 and the tubes 2| are secured together by the cross brace or U-shape bracket 44. Also, the tubes 48 are secured together by the cross rod 51 urging against tubes 49 (Fig. 11) and spacers 55. Also, I have provided numerous spacers between the I beams I8 of Fig. 1 or 4'! of Fig. 11 and these are wedged into the space formed by adjacent I beams. Each I beam in effect is formed from two U-sections butted back to back. Thus, the U-section of one I beam and the mating U-section of the adjacent I beam form the passageway involved. Also, between a longitudinally extending rectangular member, as member 25, and its adjacent I beam, I provide the grease receptacle, such as 33 of Fig. 3. Also, the I beams may support a tip portion formed of a plurality of rectangular tubular members as is best illustrated in Figs. 9 to 12 of the drawings. If the I beams extend to the full length of the diving board as is shown in the preferred form, preferably the I members have their Webs cut to provide the tapering tip as is illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6 of the drawings.

Obviously, changes may be made in the forms, dimensions and arrangement of the parts of my invention, without departing from the principle thereof, the above setting forth only preferred forms of embodiment.

I claim:

1. A diving board adapted to be secured at its inboard end portion to a fixed support, be supported intermediate its length by a fulcrum and have its tip end portion free and unsupported comprising a plurality of longitudinally extending metallic I beams disposed alongside each other and with the upper and lower flanges thereof normally lying in parallel horizontal planes and with the upper flanges thereof forming the deck of the diving board and with the webs thereof lying in parallel vertical planes; spacer members disposed in the passageways formed by adjacent I beams and tightly interfitted Within the respective U flange portions of such I beams, thus limiting relative vertical movement between two adjacent I beams; and laterally extending cross braces secured to said I beams.

2. A diving board adapted to be secured at its inboard end portion to a fixed support, be supported intermediate its length by a fulcrum and have its tip end portion free and unsupported comprising a plurality of longitudinally extending laterally spaced metallic I beams disposed alongside each other and with the upper and lower flanges thereof normally lying in parallel horizontal planes and with the upper flanges thereof forming the deck of the diving board and with the webs thereof lying in parallel vertical planes; spacer members disposed in the passageways formed by adjacent I beams, maintaining said I beams in laterally spaced relation, and tightly interfitted within the respective U flange portions of such I beams, thus limiting relative vertical movement between two adjacent I beams; and laterally extending cross braces secured to said I beams.

3. A diving board adapted to be secured at its inboard end portion to a fixed support, be supported intermediate its length by a fulcrum and have its tip end portion. free and unsupported comprising, a. plurality of longitudinally extending metallic I beams, disposed alongside each other and with the upper and lower flanges thereof normally lying in parallel horizontal planes and with the upper flanges thereof forming the deck of the diving board and with the webs thereof lying in parallel vertical planes; spacer members disposed in the passageways formed by adjacent I beams, maintaining said I beams in laterally spaced relation, and tightly interfitting with the respective U-flange portions of such I beams, thus limiting relative vertical movement between two adaiacent I beams; a 1ongitudinally, extending metallic flexible rectangular tubular member positioned alongside each of the outside I beams of said plurality of I beams; and laterally extending cross braces secured to said I beams and to said rectangular tubular members.

4. A diving board: adapted tobe secured at its inboard end portion to a flxed support, be supported intermediate its lengtlr by a fulcrum and have its tip end portion free and unsupported comprising a plurality of longitudinally extending metallic I beams disposed alongside each other and with the upper and lower flanges thereof normally lying. in parallel horizontal planes and with the upper flanges thereof forming the deck of the diving. board and with the webs thereof lying in. parallel vertical planes;

spacer members disposed in the passageways formed by adjacent. I beams, maintaining said I beams in laterally spaced relations-rid tightly interfltting with the respective U-flange portions of such I beams, thus limiting relative vertical movement between two adjacent I beams; and a longitudinally extending metallic flexible rectangular tubular member positioned alongside each of the outside I beams of said plurality of I beams, each of said: rectangular tubular members comprising a plurality of telescopingly interfltted tubes of different cross sectional area and with smaller size tubes extending toward the free end portion of the diving board.

5. A diving board adapted tobe secured at its inboard end portion to a fixed support, be supported intermediate its length by a fulcrum and have its tip end portion free and unsupported comprising a plurality of longitudinally extend ing laterally spaced metallic I beams disposed alongside each other and with the upper and lower flanges thereof. normally lying in parallel horizontal planes and with the upper flanges thereof forming the deck of the diving board and with the webs thereof lying in parallel vertical planes; spacer members disposedin the passageways formed by adjacent I beams, maintaining said I beams in laterally spaced relation, and tightly interfitting With the respective U-fl'ange portions of such I beams, thus limiting relative vertical movement between two adjacent I beams; a longitudinally extending metallic flexible rectangular tubular. member positioned alongside each of the outside I beams of said plurality of I beams; and laterally extending cross braces secured to said I beams and to said rectangular tubular members.

6. A diving board adapted to be secured at its inboard end portion to a fixed support, be supported intermediate its length by a fulcrum and have its tip end portion free and unsupported comprising a plurality of longitudinally extending metallic I beams disposed alongside each til other and with the upper and lower flanges thereof normally lying in parallel horizontal planes and with the upper flanges thereof forming the deck of the diving board and with the webs thereof lying in parallel vertical planes; spacer members disposed in the passageways formed by adjacent I beams and tightly interfitted within the respective U flange portions of such I beams, thus limiting relative vertical movement between adjacent I beams; and laterally extending cross braces secured to said I beams, one of said cross braces comprising a iJ-shape cross brace disposed at the free end portion of the diving board.

'I. A diving board adapted to be secured at its inboard end portion to a fixed support, be supported intermediate its length by a fulcrum and have its tip end portion free and unsupported comprising a plurality of longitudinally extending metallic I beams disposed alongside each other and with the upper and lower flanges thereof normally lying in parallel horizontal planes and with the upper flanges thereof forming the deck of the diving board and with the webs thereof lying in parallel vertical planes; spacer members disposed in the passageways formed by adjacent I beams and tightly interfltted within the respective U flange portions of such I beams, thus limiting relative vertical movement between adjacent I beams; and laterally extending cross braces secured to said I beams, one of said cross braces comprising a cross rod extending laterally of the diving board and passing through alined passageways disposed in the spacer members and in the webs of the I beams.

8. A diving board adapted to be secured at its inboard end portion to a flxed support, be supported intermediate its length by a fulcrum and have its tip end portion free and unsupported comprising a plurality of longitudinally extend-- ing metallic I beams disposed alongside each other and with the upper and lower flanges thereof normally lying in parallel horizontal planes and with the upper flanges thereof forming the deck of the diving board and with the webs thereof lying in parallel vertical planes; spacer members disposed in the passageways formed by adjacent I beams and tightly interfltted within the respective U flange portions of such I beams, thus limiting relative movement between adjacent I beams, said spacer members comprising. two U -shape membersaliried to'form a rectangular member, the joining edges having matching longitudinally extending valleys and tongues; and laterally extending cross braces secured to said I beams;

9. A diving board adaptedtobe secured at its inboard end portion to a fixed support, be supported intermediate its length by a fulcrum and have its tip end portion free and unsupported comprising a plurality of longitudinailyextending metallic I beams disposed alongside each other and with the upper and lower flanges thereof normally lying in parallel horizontal planes and with the upper flanges thereof forming the deck of the diving board and with webs thereof lying in parallel vertical planes, said I beams having their webs cut longitudinally at their end portions toward the free end of the diving board and having their flanges moved toward each other to gradually diminish the thickness of the board at the tip portion; spacer members disposed in the passageways formed by adjacent I beams, maintaining said 11 I beams in laterally spaced relation, and tightly interfitting with the respective 'U-flange portions of such I beams, thus limiting relative vertical movement between two adjacent I beams; and laterally extending cross braces secured to said I beams.

10. A diving board adapted to be secured at its inboard end portion to a fixed support, be supported intermediate its length by a fulcrum and have its tip end portion free and unsupported comprising a plurality of longitudinally extending metallic I beams disposed alongside each other and with the upper and lower flanges thereof normally lying in parallel horizontal planes and with the upper flanges thereof forming the deck of the diving board and with the Webs thereof lying in parallel vertical planes, said I beams having their webs cut longitudinally at their end portions toward the free end of the diving board and having their flanges moved toward each other to gradually diminish the thickness of the board at the tip portion, said out also extending diagonally from the bottom portion of the web toward the top portion thereof; spacer members disposed in the passageways formed by adjacent I beams, maintaining said I beams in laterally spaced relation, and tightly interfitting with the respective U-flange portions of such I beams, thus limiting relative vertical movement between two adjacent I beams; and laterally extending cross braces secured to said I beams.

11. A diving board adapted to be secured at its inboard end portion to a fixed support, be supported intermediate its length by a fulcrum and have its tip portion free and unsupported comprising a rectangular frame braced to resist twisting movement'comprising two spaced parallel rectangular tubular members, a cross brace secured to said rectangular members at one end portion thereof and at the inboard end of the diving board, U-shape end caps disposed over the other end portions of said tubular members, and a cross brace connecting with the other end portions of said rectangular tubular members and with said U-shape members and disposed at the tip or free end portion of the diving board; and a plurality of longitudinally extending metallic I beams disposed between and in the plane of said rectangular tubular members, alongside each other, and with the upper and lower flanges thereof normally lying in parallel horizontal planes and with the upper flanges thereof forming the deck of the diving board and with the webs thereof lying in parallel vertical planes, said I beams being secured at their end portions to said cross braces; spacer members disposed in the passageways formed by adjacent I beams, maintaining said I beams in laterally spaced relation, and tightly interfitting with the respec tive U-flange portions of such I beams, thus limiting relative vertical movement between two adjacent I beams.

' 12. A diving board adapted to be secured at its inboard end portion to a fixed support, be supported intermediate its length by a fulcrum and have its tip end portion free and unsupported comprising a plurality of longitudinally extending metallic I beams disposed alongside each other in relatively close proximity and with the upper and lower flanges thereof normally lying in parallel horizontal planes and with the upper flanges thereof forming the deck of the diving board and with the webs thereof lying in parallel vertical planes; a plurality of longitudinally extending metallic flexible rectangular tubular members positioned alongside each other, normally lying in a common plane and projected into the openings provided by adjacent I beams; spacer members disposed in the passageways formed by adjacent I beams, maintaining said I beams in laterally spaced relation, and tightly interfltting with the respective U-flange portions of such I beams, thus limiting relative vertical movement between two adjacent I beams; and laterally extending cross braces secured respectively to said I beams and said tubular members.

13. A diving board adapted to be secured at its inboard end portion to a fixed support, be supported intermediate its length by a fulcrum and have its tip end portion free and unsupported comprising a plurality of longitudinally extending metallic I beams disposed alongside each other in relatively close proximity and with the upper and lower flanges thereof normally lying in parallel horizontal planes and with the upper flanges thereof forming the deck of the diving board and with the webs thereof lying in parallel vertical planes; a longitudinally extending metallic flexible rectangular tubular member positioned alongside of each of the outside I beams of said plurality of I beams, said rectangular tubular members extending substantially the full length of the diving board; a plurality of longitudinally extending second metallic flexible rectangular tubular members posi tioned alongside each other, normally lying in a common plane and projecting into the openings provided by adjacent I beams; laterally extending cross brace means secured to said first mentioned rectangular tubular members and said I beams; and second laterally extending cross brace means positioned at the tip end portion of the diving board and secured to said first mentioned rectangular tubular members and to said second mentioned rectangular tubular members.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,635,204 Brown July 12, 1927 2,193,067 I-Ioppes Mar. 12, 1940 2,546,151 Buck Mar. 27, 1951 2,590,563 Nightingale -I Mar. 25, 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 447,654 Germany Aug. 1, 1927 

